REISA BUSINESS HUB LAUNCHES TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

Key community stakeholders recently gathered to celebrate the launch of the REISA Business Development Hub in Kathu, aimed at accelerating the development of local enterprises and ultimately contributing to job creation for locals.

Research has shown that less than half of formally established businesses stand a chance of succeeding in the long-term and that entrepreneurial deficiencies that are addressed superficially are the main cause for the collapse of emerging enterprises. This is the catalyst behind the Business Development Hub, which followed a feasibility study carried out in both the Gamagara and Ga-Segonyana Municipalities, to fully comprehend the economic landscape of the communities.

The study illustrated the need to address skills development training fatigue and the need to provide ongoing support ventures, amongst other needs.

“The aim of our Hub is to increase the odds by providing unique, adaptable, functional and feasible programmes for entrepreneurs at various developmental stages and to create an enabling environment where enterprises can learn to operate efficiently, understand the legislation that governs their industries and ultimately expand their services and reach beyond the borders of the Northern Cape,” explained Veronique Isaacs, Regional Community Operations Manager for REISA, one of South Africa’s largest solar projects.

This project forms part of REISA’s Enterprise Development Programme, in partnership with Raizcorp, which offers a successful incubator model and acceleration programmes for entrepreneurs.

“Raizcorp’s abilities to serve entrepreneurs in different contexts and in different stages of their business lifecycles and maturity, makes for a brilliant partnership and will help us support local businesses to achieve an exceptional and elevated level of growth,” added Isaacs.

Gregory Modungwa, owner of Maatla Signs, who attended one of the Information Sessions held in Kathu and Olifantshoek, introducing the programme to entrepreneurs, said, “I am super excited for the opportunity to be part of the REISA Business Development Programme. The process to this point has been really easy to follow and well organized”.